A song a day: The Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen

There's something irrevocably sinister, forceful and truthful about this song. Superficially, this song explores the relationship between men and women but the more I listen it seems to be between a man and his drugs - it hardly matters as it could work for both. Either way, the claustrophobia and intensity of the relationship described is unforgiving and raw. As soon as Dulli says 'now', and you're king hit with its swaggering riff, there is no let up in this song. 'Understand I'm a gentleman' screams Dulli even thou it's apparent that he is anything but forcing, fighting and begging his way through the situation at hand. Also of note is the unhinged wah solo that goes hand in hand with the lyrical content. It's pretty dark stuff but as Dulli sing 'I wanted for the joke but it never did arrive...' No wonder he ended up with Lanegan years later in the Gutter Twins...

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